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The passage of the Great Outdoors Act, quarterbacked by Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, is a great example of what can be prudently accomplished. Republicans should also consider support, for instance, for Sen. Ron Wyden’s Malheur County Empowerment for the Owyhee Act, which looks to be a workable compromise between local ranchers and the more-reasonable conservation groups.

Having spent a fair bit of time in Alaska where the vistas are magnificent, the landscape goes on forever and the wilderness opportunities are vast, I can say that the Owyhee is a rare lower-48 landscape that can be similarly described.

Our shared natural heritage of public lands and rivers is one of the best parts of our state and our country. Our public lands and rivers are also something we all have an obligation to steward and leave better than we found them.

This bill would help get Malheur’s County’s residents and economy get back on their feet after a tough year by creating jobs, addressing threats like wildfire and invasive species, and improving access to places throughout the Canyonlands that folks love and enjoy.